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Valerie Wells <[log in to unmask]>
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Date:
Mon, 18 Aug 2003 09:56:17 -0700
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

A few more too-good-not-to-post suggestions for coping with leg cramps
came in after I posted my original summary.  I'd also like to add that I
went right out & bought some OsteoPrime Forte and it did stop the leg
cramps.  I've been sleeping like a baby since!  Ahhh!

Here are the additional suggestions:
---------------------------
I never had much of a problem with leg cramps until I developed an
allergy to milk.  After giving it up I started having leg cramps.
Without the milk, I was obviously mineral deficient so I started taking a
multi-mineral supplement.  The cramps stopped the very first time I took
it... BUT, it caused horrid constipation turning my stools to cement!
OUCH!  (Calcium is the main ingredient in concrete!)  When I stopped
taking it, the cramps returned.  I was literally stuck between a rock & a
hard spot  -- painful hard, cramping muscles on one side and rock hard
stools on the other!  What could I do? I finally found that taking the
supplement with juice on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours
after meals gave relief without causing such severe constipation.  The
trick is to avoid allowing the calcium & other minerals mix with food
which causes hard stools.  I empty two capsules into a cup of hot juice
first thing in the morning 1 hour before breakfast, then again at bedtime
and eat a little dab of butter or coconut oil.  (I read that acid from
the juice & the fat in the butter enhances absorption.  It seems to work
because I'm not cramping at night anymore.)
---------------------------
I was recently diagnosed and my biggest complaint has been my leg cramps.
My Doctor told me to get Juven. It is a powdered drink mix that you add
to a glass of water or seltzer. It is taken to help build muscle back up
in the body. I have found it helps. It is not cheap but it (3.60 for each
packet 2x's daily) but it really does make a difference) .The co's
website is www.juven.com. The Doctor explained to me that when the
intestines get damaged, it no longer makes two amino acids which in turn
prevent the body from making a subamino acid. When the body no longer
finds them in the intestines, it goes elsewhere (our legs etc..) The
packet gives back the body the amino acids and then eventually -prompts
the body to once again, make them...   ps I ordered mine at the pharmacy
counter. They can get you a few packets to start off with at first so you
can see if it helps.
---------------------------
My experience is vitamin deficiency causes leg cramps.  As long as I am
taking vitamins I do not get leg cramps (liquid vitamins/minerals/enzymes
work better, especially when malabsorption is an issue).  In my case, it
appears that the lack of vitamin E will bring on major leg cramps.  We
are currently using Seasilver which works very well, but the company is
having some issues with labelling and unsubstantiated claims so we will
have to see if the product remains on the market.  If it doesn't, I am
sure it will be replaced.  Another factor to consider, especially with
malabsorption, is that only 10% of a vitamin in pill form is absorbed.
Liquid
vitamin/mineral/enzyme supplements are needed for adequate absorption.
--------------------------
 MD's used to treat leg cramps with a (then) expensive product called
"Quinnam"  which was a combination of quinine and aminophyllin
(amininophyllin being a form of caffiene found in tea}.  It worked quite
well for years.  Then (and I don't know the story) somebody found that
the cure was probably due to the glass of water which was taken to wash
down the big pill.  Since then quinnam is rarely used.  Water alone will
do the trick in about three minutes.  Also, be aware that the most
immediate remedy is to stretch the offending muscle so that blood can get
into it.  When done properly, that works immediately, although the cramp
tends to recur when the muscle is allowed to unstretch unless the water
is taken also.  As I have gotten older, I have had plenty of
opportunities to test this remedy on myself. I am not celiac.  I expect
the celiac connection to cramps is due to malabsorption of the minerals
sodium, potassium and maybe (as mentioned on this list a few day
ago)selenium, especially during hot weather and after heavy excercise.
Jack Maines North Creek NY
-----------------------
About let cramps.  I've had them for over 50 years.  Several years ago I
found my solution to those dreadful things, they'd pull both my heels up
so tightly that I was afraid that the bones would snap, they were very
painful.  Now I have a pair of those toe to knee woolly knee socks to
keep my legs warm all night long.  It works like a charm, NO LEG CRAMPS.
Any system that will keep the lower legs warm and comfy works fine.  An
extra pillow over the legs, etc., will help.  I've solved the problem
without all the pills and diet stuff.  John B.

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